So how'd it happen? "Scandal" -- which got mixed reviews from critics -- saw its ratings swing up last season, as viewers discovered the same mix of real-world workplace settings and juicy soap-opera conventions that creator Shonda Rhimes exploited in "Grey's Anatomy."

Also, it probably didn't hurt that BET started airing repeats from the first two seasons in the weeks leading up to the Season 3 premiere.

Whatever the explanation, ABC has a 10 p.m. hit on its hands.

And these days, just uttering the phrase "10 p.m. hit" is news for broadcasters.